The past few days has seen
torrential showers across the country, but these disappeared yesterday in favour of more sunny conditions.

The Bristol Balloon Fiesta got off to a good start yesterday as hundreds of hot air balloons took to the sky in fine conditions.

In Scotland, the Rock Ness Festival saw around 25,000 revellers gather under sunny skies on the banks of Loch Ness to see Placebo, The Prodigy and The Flaming Lips perform. Although the weather held for the start of the three-day festival, forecasters predicted rain over the weekend.

Stephen Davenport of Meteogroup, the weather division of Press Association, said: 'It will be a bit hit and miss - the chances of staying completely dry are pretty slim.

'There is likely to be a lot of cloud, a bit of sunshine and some showers.

'While it won't be continuous rain some showers could be heavy.'

High temperatures are set to continue today reaching 21c, soaring to 25c tomorrow.

However, forecasters warn the sunshine will 'not be wall to wall' - and there is a risk of showers between the bright spells.

It
follows days of deluges across England and Wales. Flood warnings were
in force once again yesterday as torrential rain brought chaos to
homes, schools and roads for the second day running.

The Met Office also issued severe weather warnings for storms, hail and rain in the South-East, the North-East and Yorkshire.

On Wednesday, downpours
closed roads and a railway line, trapping motorists and causing havoc
for commuters and the emergency services.

Parts of Sheffield were brought to a standstill during the evening rush hour, as half an inch of rain fell in only 15 minutes.

In parts of the city, streets were submerged under 5ft of water and cars were swept away by the force of the floodwaters.

Residents were warned to avoid all but the most essential travel.

Happy campers: Festival-goers are set to enjoy a sunny weekend with temperatures soaring to 25c tomorrow

Firemen said the flash floods were
due to the city's drainage system becoming inundated, rather than the
River Don breaking its banks as
it did two years ago.

A council spokesman said: 'We have had an
enormous amount of calls. The situation is difficult but we are coping.
It is certainly not as bad as last time.'

The railway line
between Chesterfield and Sheffield had to be closed as a result of the
severe weather, with services being diverted.

Suited and booted: A festival goer in yellow Wellington boots arrives at the Isle of Wight Festival in Newport

Eyes and ears: 10 month old Caleb Bickell protects his ears from the loud music today

Factory workers had to
be rescued in Dronfield, North Derbyshire, when they became cut off by
rising floodwaters. However, a dramatic improvement in the weather is
due for the weekend, the Met Office said.

Much of the UK will enjoy dry, sunny weather today - although tomorrow will see a mixture of sunshine and showers.

'The highest temperatures
in the South-East will get up to 21c or 22c,' a spokesman said. 'These
temperatures are going to be accompanied by some sunshine as well.